College Students Prefer Paper Textbooks!

Dear Commons Community,

I have made several postings on  the evolution  and growing popularity of e-books.  See:

https://apicciano.commons.gc.cuny.edu/2010/07/20/e-books-outselling-hardcover-books-at-amazon-com/

https://apicciano.commons.gc.cuny.edu/2010/02/11/e-book-prices-going-up/

In todays’ NY Times there is an article based on observations/interviews with students from Hamilton College in upstate New York that tilts student preferences to paperbound books.

See:  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/20/nyregion/20textbooks.html?th&emc=th

The article makes the point that:  “Though the world of print is receding before a tide of digital books, blogs and other Web sites, a generation of college students weaned on technology appears to be holding fast to traditional textbooks.”  It also quotes figures from the National Association of College Stores, that digital books make up just under 3 percent of textbook sales, although the association expects that share to grow to 10 percent to 15 percent by 2012 as more titles are made available as e-books.

In favoring paperbound textbooks, students commented that they cannot get a virus, the screen will not go blank, and they are not tempted to go to Facebook.  The big drawback for many students, however, is the cost which can easily run to close to $1,000 per semester for paper.  Ouch!

Tony

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